Category: Supplements

Prebiotics and Probiotics provide the right kind of nutrients in your body for healthy bacteria to win I your digestive system, it limits the growth of harming bugs, helps you to digest food and get the ideal nutrition from your diet.

Our digestive system needs help from healthy bacteria so our body can breakdown food and absorb nutrients so we can stay healthy and have enough energy through the day. We need friendly bacteria in our digestive tract specially in the lower intestine to prevent the development of diseases.

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are substances with healthy bacteria, that when is ingested stays on our digestive tract. When there is an imbalance in healthy and bad bacteria in the gut, we experience symptoms in the gastrointestinal tract and in other parts.

What are Prebiotics?

Prebiotics are substances that when you ingested them promote healthy bacteria in your digestive tract, in the colon. Prebiotics keep the microflora in the gut healthy.

So what is the difference between Prebiotics and Probiotics

The complement each other, prebiotics makes sure that there is a right environment for healthy bacteria to grow and function in your digestive system. So if you fail to take enough prebiotics in your daily nutrition, taking probiotics will not keep enough healthy bacteria in your intestines.

Yogurt and other foods that contain prebiotics and probiotics are called synbiotics.

How do I know if I have an imbalance of Prebiotics Levels

If you have unhealthy prebiotic levels in the gut, results in an imbalance of bacteria in the gut.

These are some of the symptoms you may experience:

Diarrhea

Fatulence

Bloating

Obesity

Depression

Influenza

Urinary Tract infections

Allergies

Vaginal Yeast infections

Skin Problems

What are some of the Benefits of Healthy Prebiotic Levels

There have been many clinical studies showing the benefits of prebiotics in adolescents, infants and adults.

Taking the right amount of prebiotics in food or supplements has many benefits:

Decreases GI symptoms

Helps to lose weight

Increases your energy levels

Promotes healthy bacteria in your tract

Makes a balance of bacteria in your digestive tract

Promotes the absorption of important nutrients from your diet

Prevents Colon cancer and other types of cancer

Promotes proper calcium metabolism and healthy bones in adolescents

Better well being

Prevents Type 2 diabetes

How to add Prebiotics to your Diet

If you have any symptoms of inadequate prebiotics balance and you want to stay healthy you can add some of the following foods to your diet:

Honey

Asparagus

Whole Grains

Onions

Bananas

Kiwifruit

Legumes

Artichokes

Garlic

Oatmeal

Taking Prebiotic Supplements

However one of the easiest ways to promote the right levels of prebiotics is to consume prebiotic supplements.

Eating a healthy diet can be a challenge. For those who choose to follow a vegan lifestyle, that challenge can be increased because certain foods that provide protein (i.e., meats and fish) are no longer an option. For those individuals, it takes some careful attention to the diet and greater portions of certain foods in the diet to stay healthy and remain a vegan.

Beans Should Be a Big Part of Your Diet

Beans may not top the list for some people when it comes to favorite foods, but the variety of beans found in nature makes it easy to find a favorite and incorporate it into a weekly menu plan. That is helpful for those who need to eat them and eat them often. Certain types of beans include garbanzo, hummus, kidney, black, lima, fava and more. This means vegan individuals are likely to find a couple types that they enjoy adding to certain recipes or various dishes served in their home.

Add Seeds to Provide Protein

The world is filled with seeds. They help ensure the next generation of plants, both those humans plant and those that occur naturally in wild environments. For those who need seeds to boost their protein consumption, the variety of seeds guarantees a sufficient amount can be acquired and incorporated into the diet. Vegans can opt for pumpkin seeds, flax, hemp and sesame – just to name a few. That isn’t to say there aren’t other options, and better ones, to provide protein. However, these seeds can be helpful for various dishes and an average day of protein consumption.

Soy is a Big Help for Healthy Diets

Soy beans, soy cheese, tofu and even soy deli-style meats are available for those who choose to eat vegan and avoid meats and dairy. This can be a great boost to the lifestyle and particularly the meal plans to provide the necessary nutrients and still get to eat food that tastes good and doesn’t interfere with the vegan lifestyle.

Whole Grains Can Be the Answer

Eating quinoa, granola, oats and breads that are made with whole grains ensure that your daily protein intake is met. This helps keep the body healthy and keep energy levels at their optimal.

Eating whole grains helps those who are hoping to lose weight as well, since they provide a fuller feeling for long and help dieters cut out unnecessary snacks during the day.

Make Sure to Find a Protein Superfood That You Love

A protein superfood can be an easy way to add the necessary nutrients. The product can be available in powder format and in various flavors, allowing you to easily transport it and consume flavors you enjoy as a shake when mixed with water or an addition to different meals.

With a superfood in powder form, the average person living a vegan lifestyle does not have to stress about finding food that fits their diet or insulting a host because they don’t eat the meal offered. Simply let the host know that you have brought your own food in order to get the right amount of protein and a fuller feeling.

Calendula tea is a remedy for a sore throat; in the event of a sore throat, you can gargle calendula tea three times a day to relieve the pain. Calendula is useful on sore throats because of its ability to reduce the swelling and the pain.

Calendula is used to alleviate acne; washing your face every night with calendula tea, helps relieve acne. Acne occurs as a result of swelling of the sebaceous gland due to bacterial infection. Calendula tea has active anti-inflammatory agents that reduce the swelling and powerful antibacterial compounds that kill the bacteria.

Calendula tea alleviates blisters in the mouth or inflamed gums; either bacteria or virus may cause these conditions. The anti-bacterial and antiviral activities of the calendula tea will heal the sores. Moreover, the ant swelling properties reduces the swelling of the gums.

Calendula oil has wound healing properties. It speeds up the process of healing cuts and bruises.

Calendula oil is highly effective in reducing inflammation in any part of the body. For instance, swelling arising from joint related gout or arthritis is very painful. In such cases, applying calendula oil the joints alleviates the pain and inflammation. In cases of ulcers, a cup of calendula tea will soothe the sores due to their anti-inflammatory effect.

Calendula is effective in treating infections. The herb has antibacterial, antiviral, antiprotozoal and antifungal properties.

Calendula has some anticancer properties. Calendula oil has anti-tumour properties. Together with antioxidants in calendula tea can stop oxidation and irregular growth of cells. Beta-carotene in calendula also helps cut down the risks of cancer, Improves the health of the heart.

Calendula extracts Aids in digestion; Calendula oil is vital in maintaining healthy digestive organs. The oil in the calendula energises the release of bile from the gallbladder which in turn hastens the breakdown of food within the duodenum. Moreover, calendula has an inhibitory effect against common gastrointestinal bacteria such as Campylobacter jejuni that causes diarrhoea in children. Note that this herb can control the prostaglandin-E1. As such it protects the lining of the stomach and the intestines. Also, it restricts the adverse impacts related to gastritis, stomach cancer, and peptic ulcer.

Detoxify the body; a dose of three cups of calendula tea is essential in cleaning the organs of the body especially the liver. The herb stimulates the proper function of the gallbladder.

Essential in oral health; Due to its antibacterial properties, calendula is an effective mouthwash. As such it can be an ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwashes.

Improves vision; Due to the antioxidants present in calendula, calendula treats eye infections and enhances vision. Beta-carotene, the anti-oxidant responsible for improved vision forms the bulk of calendula. Calendula flower extracts have been useful in treating conjunctivitis. In this case, it reduces the inflammation and redness of the eye. Moreover, consumption of calendula tea dramatically prevents the development of macular degeneration and development of cataracts.

Reduces pain associated with menstruation; Calendula tea is known to reduce pain during menstruation. Abdominal cramping usually causes this pain. At this time, a woman may experience headaches, nausea or may even vomit. A cup of calendula tea will alleviate the above symptoms in the shortest time possible. Moreover, calendula tea is known to regulate the whole menstrual process. In some animals, it has been used to start the menstrual process. Due to its estrogenic effects, it reduces menstrual cramps and relieving breast tenderness.

Reduce cramping; Calendula extracts have anti-spasmodic activities. Individuals suffering from nervous disorders and those that have severe cramping during menstruation are advised to drink at least three cups of calendula tea.

Prevents muscle spasms; Calendula extracts are effective in preventing muscle spasms as they relax spontaneous and K+-induced contractions, which depends on the calcium channel blocking along with cholinergic qualities of this herb.

Prevent premature ageing; Restorative properties of calendula make it a tremendous anti-ageing food. The oil is marvellous at healing wounds, hydrating the skin and making the skin supple. It is very vital to include calendula tea in your diet. Moreover, calendula oil can be applied around delicate parts of the body such as the eyes to prevent puffiness. The antioxidants in the calendula prevent the ageing of cells by stimulating the flow of blood into the skin cells. The result is that even scars and wrinkles will disappear. For more excellent results, applying organic compounds containing calendula oil will do fine.

Cures rashes; Calendula oil is useful in the treatment of any rashes. Applying calendula oil on affected areas twice a day will return the skin to its natural condition within a short period. Diaper rash a common occurrence in babies. In such cases applying calendula oil will heal the skin due to its anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties.

Remove stretch marks; Calendula oil is a purely natural remedy to alleviate stretch marks. It is difficult entirely remove, but calendula oil is effective in healing and fading the damaged skin.

Skin issues; Topical application of calendula oil is effective in soothing the skin. Conditions such as eczema and dermatitis can efficiently be sooth by use of calendula oil. Moreover, calendula oil has been found useful in the treatment of ringworms and athletes foot.

Useful in treating insect bites; Most insect bites cause inflammation of cells. For instance, a bee sting may cause tremendous swelling. To alleviate such swelling, topical application of calendula oil lessens the swelling.

Antihaemorrhagic and antiseptic; Calendula flowers have extracts that stop bleeding as well as acting as an antiseptic.

Dye; Calendula flowers were used to make dyes that were used to colour fabrics. The flower dyes occur in brown, yellow and orange colours.

Culinary uses; Calendula petals were used to add colour to cheese and butter. In Germany, flowers were common ingredients in making soups and stew hence the nickname “pot marigold”.

Remedy for varicose veins; a varicose vein is the abnormal swelling of the valves in at the back of legs. The valves in the veins swell and become flabby. Calendula in the diet helps to alleviate the swellings of the valves.

We live in a world where everything moves so fast. We are required to work at maximum capacity every day and at the same time, we strive to live our personal lives at maximum capacity without any distractions that may hold us back. With so many agents like social media, television and online shows that can derail us from achieving our goals, strong motivation and focus on the task at hand is a must. Some people get support from family (which ideally should always be existent) and others combine that support with a healthy nutrition plan and lifestyle.

A healthy diet consisting of the rights foods to eat on a daily basis as well as natural brain or focus supplements can do wonders to our well-being and happiness. However, sometimes a healthy nutrition is not the only factor for focusing on our goals. A healthy lifestyle full of activities that can increase dopamine levels (dopamine is the brain chemical directly linked to feelings of happiness, pleasure and mood) and make us feel ‘full of life’ will provide us with the motivation and concentration we need to live every day at its fullest.

In this article, we shall cover different activities that can improve our mood levels as well as brain supplements that will keep us focused on every task we may want to undertake.

Activities that can improve our Focus, Motivation and Mood Levels

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise can deliver immense health benefits to both our body and brain. Several studies have shown that exercise can deliver positive results to our brain’s neurotransmitter by improving blood flow and oxygen circulation to the brain. Consequently this can aid in the production of new cell growth as well as the promotion of brain health and optimum mental performance. What this ultimately means is that by exercising, not only can we improve our physique and posture but also be able to better focus and concentrate when doing chores, working, reading or even studying.

Add New Experiences to your life’s canvas

Doing new activities or taking up on new hobbies cannot only allow us to learn and experience more in life but also promote a happy and healthy lifestyle. Doing new things will allow our brain to fire neurons which will in turn give us feelings of pleasure, joy and achievement. Different examples can be hobbies like learning how to draw, playing the guitar, going hiking and so one. You will see and feel more not only during the process but also afterwards which consequently make you perform and focus better at your work and even personal life.

Follow a Healthy Diet

A healthy nutrition plan is necessary to our brain’s well-being and our body’s performance. Not only it will allow us to focus better but it can have positive effects to our metabolism and body’s looks. When referring to a healthy diet, we actually mean avoiding unnecessary-bad fat and carbs while introducing and holding onto meals full of vegies and green leafy salads. There is a vast amount of posts and articles out there that can help you know all about the right foods to eat as well as how to use this in a delicious recipe.

Brain Supplements that Improve Focus and Brain Performance

L-Tyrosine

There is a big number of brain supplements or nootropics that can improve focus out there. However, the most well researched and promoted supplement for a healthy mental function is L-Tyrosine. L-tyrosine is an essential amino acid which delivers positive effects to our body while improving cognitive performance. There a vast amount of research, and research papers out there that support the fact that L-tyrosine supplements can maintain the healthy function of the brain areas that are specifically used to improve working memory. In addition, research suggests that the positive effects of L-tyrosine include improving focus and reaction speed, which refers to focusing and reacting better to social cues or signals.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)

Acetyl-L-Carnitine is also at the top of our list and a very popular brain supplement among athletes and professionals. ALCAR is an amino acid with brain enhancing abilities that is naturally produced in the body. Being the essential building block for proteins, ALCAR intake in the form of supplements is associated with fight against mental disorders like Alzheimer’s and depression as well as protecting the brain from the degeneration of cells that comes with old age. Put it simple, Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a major factor for producing the energy our brain needs to perform and process information.

Everybody wants to live a long, healthy life and in today’s day and age it is most certainly possible. People are faced with many difficult decisions when it comes to choosing the best supplements, diets, exercises and training gear – and who could blame them? Every day the list grows for the best way to lose weight, build muscle and get the physique you always dreamed of. Even now, more than ever there are emerging supplements marketed towards those intent on shedding the extra pounds and transforming their bodies into lean, sculpted figures.

With all this industry growth and all the reputable brands releasing new products, how can you really be sure what works and what doesn’t? I have spent a fair amount of time personally at the gym, pumping iron and pressing weights. I have spent countless hours training, exercising, trying new routines and learning many new workouts. During this time, I have also tried a variety of different supplements both for diet and also for training purposes.

When it comes to picking a solid pre-workout there have been many that have definitely held their ground. (Of course, any supplements mentioned are personal preference and may affect individuals differently) I am one who you could say loves caffeine. I drink about 3 cups of coffee a day starting at “double-shot” on the strength level and progressively work downward. When I am looking for a good pre-workout, one of the things I look for is something that has a higher than average amount of caffeine. While not getting into the nitty-gritty too much, I have found the strongest PWOs (I mean actually feeling the boost of energy) to be Bullnox, and the all-new reformulated Superpump 250 w/ DMAA. These 2 supplements definitely pack a bigger scoop and punch, but are also leaning towards the more expensive side. Another way I can personally gauge the strength is by how much of a tingling sensation I feel all over my body – and these 2 really give that sensation.

The pump that these PWOs bring is pretty substantial. I can see the difference in weeks I cycle off the PWO that my workout intensity not only lessens but the amount of time before I fatigue is also noticeably shorter. Not to discredit any other PWO as they all do the job to different degrees but I find that these give me the most focus and keep my drive higher in the gym – meaning focused intensity. After finishing a great workout it’s essential to get in some protein and possibly a meal to replenish and help rebuild muscle and refuel your body with all the nutrients it needs post-exercise.

One of the leading brands of protein for many years has been Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard (100% Whey) This has been my go-to protein powder for many years. Although also a bit more expensive than other protein supplements, I feel the quality is outstanding and worthwhile. The many flavors they have are delicious and the scoops are nicely sized. The powder dissolves very even and easy and it absorbs into your body fairly quickly. This means faster protein-synthesis or your body building muscle quicker. There are many forms of protein with certain trade-offs, some which take longer to digest than others and some that break down much slower. In order to really understand what works best it is always a great idea to experiment and see which fits your goals and body best. If you are still unsure, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard (100% Whey) Protein is a solid recommendation. Even after taking your pre-workout and your post-workout supplements, sometimes you may just not have the drive or energy to keep pushing through the workout… this is where intra-workout supplements shine.

I have not been too keen on intra-workouts as I feel the PWO does the job at least to the level that I need. When I did decide to take one though I went with Xtend by Sci-Vation. This stuff is pretty powerful and comes in this greenish/blue powder, we like to call it the “Hulk Juice” nicknamed after it’s color. This gives you more of that power/energy boost during your exercises which helps with explosive pumps and harder, more intense workouts. For me, I could surely feel a positive change while I was on this stuff, but my wallet felt the opposite. This stuff isn’t necessarily cheap, especially when you combine it with all the other supplements.